Partnership Update

April 5, 2012

Status of the RESTORE Act

The Senate passed the RESTORE Act as part of the Transportation bill, but the House declined to adopt the Senate version. On March 31, 2012, the two chambers agreed on a 90 day extension to allow them to work out their differences. The RESTORE Act is caught up in the disagreements between the two chambers. See Whit Remer’s update for more information. Please continue to urge your Gulf Coast members of the House of Representatives to support passage of the RESTORE Act.

Partnership Included in ‘Thank You’ Ads

Five Gulf state newspapers ran full-page color ads thanking the nine Gulf senators who recently voted in favor of legislation to dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from the Gulf oil spill to restoring the Gulf ecosystem and economy.

The ads, which cost a total of $45,000, are paid for by: National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, Oxfam America and Ocean Conservancy. The Alliance, the Partnership and individual members were included in the ads.

The NOAA Community-based Restoration Program and the FishAmerica Foundation announce grant funding to restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats. The deadline is April 30th, 2012. Awards range between $10,000 and $75,000 for each project. A non-federal match is required, and may be achieved through volunteer participation. Learn more.

The Forest Service Announces Community Forest Grant Opportunity. Deadline Is May 15, 2012

The Community Forest Program is a grant program that provides financial assistance to establish community forests that provide continuing and accessible community benefits. Learn more.

NOAA and TNC are looking to support community-based restoration of a diversity of habitat types and no habitats are excluded. They will consider any innovative restoration project nationwide that supports NOAA trust resources, and particularly those projects that have a multi-species benefit or emphasize Ecosystem-Based Management. A focal area of particular interest, though not exclusive or limiting, is native shellfish (bivalve) restoration projects. There is a 1:1 federal match requirement. Grants are typically between $25,000 and $85,000. Learn more.

Pre-proposals are due June 1, 2012. All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Preference will be given to acquisitions that are part of published conservation plans (North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Partners in Flight, etc.), State Wildlife Action Plans, or Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation regional director in their area to discuss project ideas prior to applying. Learn more.

Walton Family Foundation Announces Grants for Habitat Restoration in the Lower Mississippi River Region

The deadline is April 15, 2012. These grants will support habitat restoration on frequently flood agricultural lands within the delta of AR, LA, and MS. The WFF Conservation Grant will provide up to a total of $1.25 million in grants during calendar year 2012. Contact Steve Brock by email at steve_c_brock@fws.gov or phone 601-529-4235 for more information.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance All Hands Meeting Registration Open

Join colleagues in Corpus Christi, Texas to address issues such as water quality, sea level rise, and habitat conservation. The meeting will be held at the Omni Bayfront Hotel & Marina June 19 – 21. View registration information.

Partner Spotlight

The Audubon Society Welcomes Dr. Doug Meffert as Executive Director for the State of Louisiana. Dr. Meffert will join a strong Louisiana team focused on large scale coastal and gulf restoration as part of the Mississippi River Delta Restoration initiative and the protection of many globally significant Important Bird Areas.

Dr. Meffert’s most recent post was Director of Project Development and Associate Professor at Tulane University's Payson Center for International Development. He also served as Tulane's representative on a range of coastal research and policy committees, including the Framework Development Team for Louisiana's 2012 Coastal Master Plan, and the Deepwater Horizon Science and Engineering Review Team.

NC - In 1909, the citizens of the Town of Highlands gathered their pennies and dollars and for $500 purchased the summit of Satulah Mountain to protect it from development for all time. The organization born from that first effort, known today as the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, has gone on to conserve nearly 1,700 acres.